Rob Sullivan on the stairs at the Burroughs and Saden Memorial Public Library in Bridgeport Thursday, June 12, 2014. Sullivan has written a new book, "Political Corruption in Bridgeport," published by TheRob Sullivan on the stairs at the Burroughs and Saden Memorial Public Library in Bridgeport Thursday, June 12, 2014. Sullivan has written a new book, "Political Corruption in Bridgeport," published by The History Press.

BRIDGEPORT — Local journalist and author Robert Sullivan, best known for writing about local politics and for his book on corruption in city government, died Saturday.

Sullivan, 54, formerly of Worcester, Mass., moved to Connecticut’s largest city in 1996 and became editor of the Bridgeport News and more recently ran the online Bridgeport Banner.

Three years ago The History Press published Sullivan’s book, “Political Corruption in Bridgeport: Scandal in the Park City,” based on his time covering the city.

The softcover began with P.T. Barnum, the circus showman who served locally as mayor, and ended with then-Mayor Bill Finch.

“After covering Bridgeport politics for so long, I thought the story of Bridgeport is the story of its political history,” Sullivan told Hearst Connecticut Media at the time.

When Sullivan’s book was released, Finch was preparing for a 2015 re-election bid.

He was ultimately defeated by one of Sullivan’s main subjects — ex-Mayor Joe Ganim. Ganim ran the city from 1991 until he was convicted of corruption in 2003, then successfully appealed to voters for a second chance and defeated Finch in the 2015 Democratic primary.

Sullivan in his interview with Hearst expressed optimism about his adopted home.

“The city's been beaten down at different points in its history and always seems to rise from the ashes,” Sullivan said. “Maybe we should rename it Phoenix’.”

“He adopted Bridgeport and we adopted him in return,” said Tom Kelly, a friend of Sullivan’s for over two decades.

John Marshall Lee, a city activist who spends a lot of personal time pouring over the municipal budget and attending council meetings, got to know Sullivan.

“He didn’t take care of himself as he knew he needed to,” said Marshall Lee, though he, like other friends, could not offer a specific cause of death.